Dawson County Schools will be serving up everything from hamburgers and pizza to barbeque and breadsticks through its summer feeding program that began this week at Riverview Elementary School as well as at Dawson County Junior High and Rock Creek Park.
The program is designed to ensure that local kids and families are able to get meals throughout the summer months and all kids under the age of 18 are able to eat for free.
"The summer feeding program is a convenient and economical way to provide healthy meals to children and families all summer long," said Linda Byrd, director of school nutrition for Dawson County Schools.
Last year, 12,000 meals were served and the expectation is to serve 15,000 this summer, according to Byrd who said the program has increased each year.
It is funded by the USDA through the Healthy Hunger Free Act.
The program also provides meals for adults for $3.75 and there is no paperwork necessary to participate.
Meals are planned, prepared and served by the Dawson County School Nutrition Program managers and food assistants. Volunteers from the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, the Dawson County Fire Department and the Dawson County Woman's Club deliver meals each day.
"These groups are a vital part of the summer feeding program," Byrd said. "We couldn't make it happen without them."
Lunches will be served Monday through Friday in June and July from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at a variety of locations beyond the two regularly scheduled sites-Dawson County Junior High School and Rock Creek Park. There are no meals provided the week of July 4.
This week and next week meals are available at Riverview Elementary School.
From June 19-23, lunches will be served at Kilough Elementary School and at Lumpkin Campground.
The Dawson County Library will also host lunches June 7-July 19 on Wednesdays only.
A full menu for the lunches can be found online at dawsoncountyschools.org under the school nutrition department tab with details on the summer feeding program.
To get more information, contact Byrd or Rita Gilleland at (706) 265-3246, ext. 1008 or 1019.